India's efforts to engage with the Indian Diaspora will receive a shot in the arm when the three-day Pravasi Bharatiya Divas organized in Delhi at Vigyan Bhavan which will seek to connect persons of Indian origin and non-resident Indians across generations. The main event will be inaugurated on 8th January 2014 by the Prime Minister of India.

The President of India, Mr. Pranab Mukherjee, will deliver the valedictory address on January 9 and will confer the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Awards.

This Chief Guest at this year's PBD is Mr. Y.B. Datuk Seri Palanivel, Malaysian Minister of Natural Resource and Environment.

The Chief Ministers of Gujarat, Kerala, Meghalaya, Goa and Haryana will deliver special address at the event.

The purpose of the PBD is to have a meaningful interaction with overseas Indians that would address their issues and concerns. The PBD Convention provides a unique platform for overseas Indians to interact among themselves and with the Government of India and the Governments of various Indian States. It is a forum where the Government of India showcases investment opportunities in India and its potential in various sectors.

A key focus area of PBD 2014 is Youth PBD on January 7. The event is expected to open new horizons of a strong network of young overseas Indians to contribute to India's engagement with youth in all sectors. The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports will be the Partner Ministry for the event. India is a young nation and youth is one of the engines that drive a nation and if we are to propel India to greater heights, we need to harness this energy. Hence, it is in the fitness of things that the 12th editions of PBD is focusing on youth.

India is fast emerging as a youthful and exuberant nation where approximately 50 per cent of the working populations falls in the age group of 18-35 years. There has been a sharp reversal in migration trends and a number of experienced and educated NRIs are now returning home to use their knowledge to build an inclusive and economically sound future for the country. This led to the creation of a unique synergy wherein young Indians worldwide are now set to shape the future of the Indian growth story. This synergy is expected to be directed by the core principal of inclusive prosperity and driven by innovation and technology.

The demographic dividend expected from this synergy is the one which creates a self-sustaining impetus wherein young Indians are expected to contribute towards all the variables that determine economic growth. They are attracting and brings in investment into the economy; being more educated than their previous generations they are providing the human capital required to service industrial growth; and finally they are working towards building institutions that are becoming a medium of change in society.

There are three distinct domains in which the resident and NRI youth are forming partnerships to create sustainable models of growth that can confront global challenges in socio-economic sphere so as to deliver sustainable development.

* How the Indian labour market is transforming into one which is far more educated and better skilled and how the reversal in migration trends are adding to the experience and expertise available in this market.
* How Indian youth is increasingly looking at entrepreneurship as a career choice and how number of experienced NRIs are now returning home to setup niche businesses. Further, how a fair chunk of these businesses are based on innovative models and are being founded with a large social footprint.
* How the Indian youth in partnering with NRI youth to develop not for profit institutions that are looking at ensuring that development transcends the limit defined by the economy and translates into improved social upliftment.

On the first day, a session on 'Aspiration of Diaspora Youth' will be held during the Youth PBD. Followed by concurrent sessions on 'Sharing a Common Heritage: The Emotional Connect', and on Young Achievers.

On day 2, after the inauguration session, Plenary sessions on 'India's Growth & Development Agenda', 'India's Soft Power' and 'PBD Oration' will be held.

The final day of PBD will witness sessions on 'Investment Opportunities in States' and "Parallel State Sessions'. Concurrent sessions on 'Innovation and Technology'; 'Healthcare Opportunities in India'; 'Meeting of Diaspora organisations'; 'Making India the Hub of Media & Entertainment Industry' and "Issues of NRIs in the Gulf' will be organized.

PBD 2014 will showcase the participation of the state governments, corporates, financial institutions, NGOs and other sectors through the Exhibition that is behind the Vigyan Bhawan.

All the three days will also witness the cultural programmes for the delegates in the evening.